Last night, we had our ninth annual friends and family Winter Solstice Circle. Now, our tradition is comprised of two covens, and so we came together for this yearly event. Sandwiched between rainy nights, our Solstice circle debuted on a clear (and very cold) night. Held at the home of our Maiden, we set up elemental altars at each of the four directions, and one massive 6′ altar. We also set up one more altar at the base of an apple tree.
Prior to ritual, each of our participants was invited to create a glass ornament, by writing their wishes and hopes for the new year on pieces of paper, and placing them inside a clear glass ball. Paint pens were available to decorate the ornaments that we gathered in a basket for ritual.
Right before ritual, we lit torches from a single flame lit on the altar. We honored the Sami sun goddess Beaivi and the Lord of the Wildwood within the circle, and this was also explained before our circle was cast. During ritual, we charged our ornaments with energy for a successful new year and hung them on the apple tree. We then did a traditional wassail of the apple tree and a toasting circle. Carols were sung and the circle was opened!
We’d like to thank all of those who came out this year to our Solstice circle! Blessed be!